Studding structure



1937- I I R. A. FOLSOM 2,088,781

S TUDDING STRUCTURE Filed Jan. 29, 1936 INVENTOR. w

Patented Aug. 3, 1937 PATENT OFFICE STUDDING STRUCTURE Eolfe A. Folsom,Burlingame, Califl, assignor to W. R. Ames Company, San Francisco,Calif., a corporation of California Application January 29, 1936, SerialNo. 61,352

1 Claim.

This invention relates to fireproof wall structures, such as used forinterior building partitions and the like, and especially to a pressedor rolled sheet metal stud for use in building hollow fireproofpartitions, and like Walls.

The object of the present invention is generally to improve and simplifythe construction of hollow walls and interior partitions in the erectionof buildings and like structures; to provide a sheet metal stud in theform of a channel, or the like, in which the web connecting the flangesof the channel is punched out at spaced intervals to decrease weight,said punched out portions forming openings for the passage of pipes,conduits,

wiring, etc., also providing openings for the reception of tie wires tosecure metal lath, or the like, to the studs; and, further, to provide asheet metal stud in the form of a channel, or the like, having flangeswhich are formed by bending or rolling and a forward portion which ispunched out at spaced intervals to form a series of openings andangularly disposed truss members, said truss members and openings beingflanges to increase the strength of the trusses and the stud as a whole.

The structural member forming the subject matter of the presentinvention is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawing,in which- Fig. 1 is a perspective view partially broken away andpartially in section, showing the manner in which the lower ends of thestuds are secured and also the manner in which metal lath are tiedthereto;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the stud;

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken on line III-III Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross section taken on line IV-IV of Fig. 2. Referring tothe drawing in detail, and particularly Figs. 1 and 2, a structuralmember in the form of a channel is disclosed, which is particu-' bendingor rolling as the case may be. The web proper is punched out to form aseries of openings shown at 4, 5 and 6, these openings being preferablytriangular shaped as shown and being so positioned that the apex of eachtriangle is reversed with relation to each other. By this arrangement ofthe triangular openings and by properly spacing them a series ofangularly disposed truss members 1 are formed.

The distance between the base of each triangular opening and its apex isapproximately one 5 half the width of the web. Each opening issurrounded by a flange 8 and these flanges are disposed at substantialright angles to the surface of the web. The flanges 8 may be of anyheight desired but in most instances will be slightly less 10 than theflanges indicated at 2 and 3. By flanging the openings as described, thetrusses 1 become channel-shaped in cross section, as shown in Fig. 4,and so does the metal of the web between the apexes of the openings andthe flanges 15 2 and 3, and also between the bases of the openings andthe flanges 2 and 3; in fact, the structural member as a whole becomeschannel-shaped in cross section no matter in what direction it is cut orwhat portion of it is out. 20

This is important as it forms a structural member which is light inweight and of equal strength both in its chord section and web. Astructural member of this character has other advantages besides beinglight in weight when com- 5 parison is made with strength, as it permitsthe construction of a fireproof hollow partition. It permits wire lath,or the like, to be readily attached by merely passing tie wires throughthe openings in the web, as shown at 9 in Fig. l. The 30 triangularshaped openings provide passages for the reception of pipes, conduits,wiring, and the like, and it, furthermore, forms a dead-air space bothfor sound and heat insulation.

The upper and lower ends of the structural 35 members may be secured inany suitable manner; one practical method being that of employing achannel-shaped member such as shown at B. This may be applied both atthe top and the bottom of either and the structural members or 40 studsmay be welded thereto, or they may be secured by merely bending theflanges of the member B, as shown at H), see Fig. 1.

While the stud here shown is of a channelshaped cross section, it isobvious that an I-beam 5 and other shapes are possible, and while it isdescribed as used for interior partitions it is obvious that it may bemade of heavier metal and as such might be used as a joist or rafter andpossibly for floor beams, girders, columns, and 50 the like, and whilethis and other features have been more or less specifically describedand illustrated, I wish it understood that various changes may beresorted to within the scope of the appended claim. Similarly, that thematerials and 55 finish of the several parts employed may be such as themanufacturer may decide, or varying conditions or uses may demand.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:-

A structural sheet metal stud consisting of a single piece of sheetmetal and comprising a pair of spaced parallel channel-shaped membersand angularly disposed channel-shaped truss mem- 10 bers connecting theparallel members and formed integral therewith and alternately reverselyarranged and forming with the parallel members reversely disposedsubstantially triangular openings, each channel-shaped member beingcomposed of a web portion and side flanges arranged perpendicular to theweb portion and of a width of at least substantially as great as thewidth of the web portion, the flanges at the sides of the stud beingcontinuous and the flanges at said openings being also continuous aroundsaid openings and stiffening the stud between the side flanges of thesame.

ROLFE A. FOLSOM.

